How to See Hanoi's Old Quarter in 1 Day

As the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, Hanoi's Old Quarter has a history that spans 2,000 years and represents the eternal soul of the city. Located between the Lake of the Restored Sword, the Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall, the Old Quarter started as a snake and alligator-infested swamp. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a destination that you shouldn’t miss when you visit Hanoi. Being here, you will have chance to know more about Hanoians’s typical lifestyle, culture, Hanoians. Moreover you also can try Hanoi cuisine with mouth – watering dishes. In this article, Vietnam Eco Travel will guide you how to travel around the old quarter in one day and explore tourist attractions in this old quarter.

Hanoi has 36 streets and guilds – Silver Street, Jam Street, Peach Street, etc. each bears the name of the goods that was specifically traded there such as Hang Bac (Silver Product), Hang Ma (Paper Product), Hang Go (Wood Product), just to name a few. Inside a modern and dynamic city, there appears an antique quarter, the Hanoi Old Quarter – the represented eternal soul of the city. These days, most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar with the phrase “Ha Noi - Ba mươi sáu phố phường” (translated as “Hanoi – 36 Old Streets”), or “Phố cổ Hà Nội” (translated as “Hanoi’s Old Quarter”), the top special historical vestige and sight-seeing of the capital, luring international visitors thanks to their mostly original state. As a result, many of the streets were named after the crafts sold at that individual street. Pho Hang Bun (Rice noodles product), Pho Hang Ma (Paper Product), Pho Hang Bac (Silver), etc. are examples of the streets carrying the name of the products sold there. The old quarter is a highlight destination in Hanoi. So how to travel around the old quarter in one day, what should you eat and where to go?.

How to Get to Hanoi's Old Quarter

You can walk from your hotel or go by bus to go to there.

If you go there by foot, you can take a look in this map:

If you go there by bus, we will recommend for you some buses from other bus stops that will get you to a street in the old quarter:

- Take bus 09, 14, 36 to go to Hoan Kiem lake and then start to visit Hanoi old quarter from here

- Take bus 31 and stop in the bus stop in 22C Comb street (Hang luoc).

Hotels and Hostels in the Old Quarter

There are many hotels and hostels in the old quarter from cheap hotel to luxury hotel. It depends on your requirement and your choice to choose a suitable hostel or hotel here. You should book online a hotel before visiting here in some trustful booking websites such as agoda.com or booking.com, etc to see the price or the quality of rooms in each hotel or hostel.

We will recommend for you some hostels and hotels in Hanoi old quarter:

Ngoc Son Temple: Located in a small island in Hoan Kiem lake (Returned Sword Lake). To reach Ngoc Son temple, you have to go across a red bridge, its name’s The Huc bridge. Visiting Ngoc Son temple, you will know about Hoan Kiem Lake’s legend and see Hoan Kiem lake and Turtle Towel. They’re destinations which you shouldn’t miss when you travel to Hanoi old quarter.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Returned Sword Lake): Located in the center of Hanoi capital. In the middle of Hoan Kiem lake, there is Turtle Tower which stands on a small island and be a sacred symbol of Hanoi. Nearby Hoan Kiem lake, there is Pen Tower, Ink Slab, The Huc bridge, etc.

Dong Xuan market: Dong Xuan Market, or Cho Dong Xuan, is the oldest and largest market in Hanoi. It is located at Dong Xuan Street, at the end of Hang Dao Street, on the northern part of the Old Quarters. This large multi- storied market sells anything and everything. From fresh foods to home appliances, you will have it all here. But, what is more fascinating about this market is its historical significance which you still can experience if you visit this place. It witnessed fierce battle between the Vietnamese resistance units and the French. Dong Xuan Market is also a historical place where there was a combat of soldiers of “Quyết tử quân” (“Deciding to die”) against the French attack to the heroic zone I, in February 1947. Being the biggest market and locating in the downtown, Dong Xuan Market is a crowded and bustling exchanging, tracsaction, business place of the capital.

The Vietnamese Traditional House on Ma May street: Located within Hanoi Old Quarter, the ancient house at 87 Ma May street which was built at the late of the 20th century, is quite intact with typical architecture of ancient houses. The house consists of two main blocks linked together by a square yard in the middle on the ground floor, and a small balcony on the 1st floor. The yard is included at the centre of the building to moderate the air, provide the house with sunlight and cool winds. The balcony above is an ideal place to put small plants, flower pots for the owner’s interest and relaxation. All of the walls in this house were painted with typical yellow color like other ancient Hanoi houses, and all furniture, decoration items are reserved in good condition. Though being restored in 1999, this house still remains real and ancient beauty of itself. The price is 20.000 VND per person.

There are other historical sites, too, such as Quan Chuong gate, Bach Ma temple, etc.

Hanoi Cuisine in the Old Quarter

Besides tourist attractions, Hanoi old quarter is considered as the heaven of Hanoi cuisine. Tourists shouldn’t miss delicious feature dishes and addresses for food here.